In-Situ Spectroscopy for Dynamic Machine Fluid State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the condition of operating resources, such as oils in machines, require significant effort to maintain databases with reference values and are inflexible, especially when dealing with changing fluid compositions due to degradation or environmental conditions, often leading to assessments that are too static and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize in-situ spectroscopy to detect the state of operating resources by determining a measurement reference during operation, eliminating the need for separate calibration and allowing for flexible and timely detection of equipment changes through repeated spectroscopic measurements over a reference period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reference values are stored in a database for comparison, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically determining a measurement reference from spectroscopic measurement results obtained during normal operation. The control unit repeatedly measures the operating resource over a reference period after an initial event, calculates the mean value, and stores it as the measurement reference without requiring external calibration samples or manual database maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary calibration process that occurs in-situ within the machine operation. Instead of comparing against pre-stored reference values from a database, the system creates a dynamic reference value from actual operational measurements, serving as an intermediary between raw measurements and final condition assessment.
2Ease of operation
If static reference values are used for assessment, then measurement simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changing fluid compositions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement reference is transformed from a static pre-stored value to a dynamic value that is automatically updated based on actual machine operation. The control unit repeatedly performs spectroscopic measurements over a reference period and determines the measurement reference from these measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing operating conditions and fluid compositions while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the reference value from fixed to variable. By calculating the mean of multiple spectroscopic measurement results obtained during operation, the reference value automatically adjusts to reflect actual fluid composition changes, temperature variations, and other operational parameters without requiring manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If laboratory reference samples are used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions automatically during normal machine operation. Instead of requiring separate calibration sessions with laboratory reference samples, the control unit utilizes the machine's operational period as the calibration period, repeatedly measuring the operating resource and establishing the measurement reference in-situ, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/laboratory-based calibration system with an optical/in-situ measurement system. Spectroscopic measurement is used to determine the measurement reference directly within the machine, substituting the need for physical reference samples and laboratory analysis with a non-contact, in-operando measurement approach that maintains precision while eliminating time loss.
4Reliability
If repeated spectroscopic measurements are performed over a reference period, then detection reliability is improved, but use of energy and measurement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic spectroscopic measurements rather than continuous measurement. The control unit is configured to repeatedly determine spectroscopic measurement results over a defined reference period following an initial event, then use the mean value for calibration. This periodic approach maintains detection reliability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables more reliable and timely detection of equipment conditions with reduced effort, accommodating changing resource types and conditions, without the need for complex reference measurements or laboratory analyses.
Implementation Method 1
performing a spectroscopic measurement analysis using measurement radiation from the spectroscopy device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the state of an operating resource (BM), in particular an operating oil (BÖ) and/or coolant (KM), located in a machine (100), especially with an operating resource change detection or similar detection of an initial event (EAn) or an event (En), comprising the steps of: supplying the operating resource (BM) of the machine to a spectroscopy device (600) coupled to the machine (100), performing a spectroscopic measurement analysis using a measurement radiation from the spectroscopy device (600), determining a spectroscopic measurement result (MY) based on the spectroscopic measurement analysis, relating the spectroscopic measurement result (MY) to a measurement reference (MY0) such that an evaluable measurement signal (S) is specified from the relation, wherein - the spectroscopic measurement result (MY) is determined via a predetermined,The reference operating period (R) following an initial event (EAn) with respect to the equipment (BM) is repeatedly determined, specifying the spectroscopic measurement results (MY) assigned to the reference operating period (R), and the measurement reference (MY0) is determined from the spectroscopic measurement results, and the evaluable measurement signal (S) is repeatedly specified over an operating time (t) of the machine (100) in such a way that a specific state characteristic (Z) for the equipment (BM) can be signaled.